Chief Mike Snider

10/07/2026

Honored to attend the 25th Annual Missouri Firefighters Memorial this weekend and remember those who served and those that made the ultimate sacrifice.

It seems like every time we gather for something like this, we say the same thing to each other: “We need to get together sometime other than at a service like this.” And somehow, we keep saying it.

These are never the circumstances we want to reconnect under, but one thing you can always count on is the Missouri fire service showing up. We show up for each other, and we show up for the families who have lost someone they love.

One part of the ceremony that was especially meaningful to me was seeing the colors presented by a joint Honor Guard from two departments that are very near and dear to my heart—Liberty and Lee’s Summit. Having spent so much of my career with both organizations, seeing their members stand together and present the colors with such professionalism and pride was something I won’t soon forget.

I was also very grateful to hear from FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito. Chief, thank you for taking the time to be with us and for sharing your words. It meant more to all of us than you probably realize.

Several friends and colleagues were recognized this weekend, but one in particular, Raymond McElwee, meant the world to me and my family. Ray Ray was taken from us far too soon. Those of us who knew him, worked with him, and called him a friend still feel that loss, but no one more than his family.

This weekend was a reminder not to wait on the people who matter.

For me, that means making the call, setting the date, and making time for the people I keep saying I need to see. I hope we all do a little more of that.

09/26/2026

I was truly honored to be recognized by the Jackson County Legislature this week with a resolution recognizing my more than 30 years of service to the fire service and my recent election as Second Vice President of the IAFC - International Association of Fire Chiefs.

The resolution acknowledged my journey serving and leading at the local, regional, state, and national levels, including my work with the Missouri Association of Fire Chiefs, Heart of America Metro Fire Chiefs Council, Missouri Fire Service Alliance, and IAFC. To have those years of service recognized by the county I have the privilege of serving is incredibly humbling.

What made this recognition even more special was having my wife, Dr. Karrie Snider, there to share the moment and having the resolution presented by Jackson County Legislator Jeanie Lauer.

Jeanie and I had the privilege of working together years ago when she served as a Missouri State Representative. One of our efforts was advocating for legislation that modernized how Missouri counties fund their 911 systems while also establishing a mechanism to bring 911 service to the remaining counties across our state that did not have it.

I won't tell you how many years we worked on that legislation! But what I will tell you is that seeing those efforts finally come full circle, with the remaining counties achieving 911 coverage, is something I am incredibly proud of.

It took years of persistence, relationships, and collaboration with legislators and local governments to make that vision a reality. Once the funding mechanism became law, we were able to work together to ensure that all Missourians had access to 911.

Of all the things we accomplish throughout our careers, it is the work that makes a lasting difference for others that means the most.

Thank you to Legislator Lauer and the entire Jackson County Legislature for this recognition and for acknowledging the importance of public service and leadership in our communities.

And a special thank you to Karrie for being there to share another meaningful moment in this journey. Your love and support have made so much of this possible, and I am grateful to have you by my side.

I remain incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve City of Lee's Summit Government, Jackson County, Missouri, and the fire service beyond our state.

Unity. Purpose. Progress.

09/20/2026

Love seeing one of our own recognized in such a special way!

Congratulations to Lee’s Summit Firefighter Adam Greeno on being our Firefighter of the Year and receiving an incredible Super Bowl surprise from ESPN!

Adam, we’re proud of you and grateful for the heart you bring to serving others. Seeing you recognized and celebrated like this is pretty special for all of us who have the privilege of working alongside you!

09/19/2026

It was an honor to represent the IAFC - International Association of Fire Chiefs last week at the United States Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control, held in conjunction with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).

The Summit brought together fire service leaders and stakeholders from across the country to collaborate on some of the most pressing challenges facing our profession. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions focused on three critical areas:

Health and Wellness – Protecting the physical and mental well-being of those who dedicate their lives to serving others.

Technology – Leveraging innovation, emerging technologies, and data to improve firefighter safety and strengthen our ability to serve our communities.

Wildland Urban Interface – Addressing the growing challenges of wildland fires impacting our communities and the importance of prevention, preparedness, and response.

These conversations reinforce the importance of bringing together diverse perspectives from across the fire service to identify meaningful solutions and advance our profession.

I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the IAFC and our members in these important discussions. Thank you to the U.S. Fire Administration, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and everyone who contributed to making this Summit a valuable opportunity for collaboration.

Our greatest progress comes when we work together with a shared purpose and a commitment to making the fire service safer and stronger for those serving today and the generations who will follow.

Unity. Purpose. Progress.

09/18/2026

It was an honor to join IAFC - International Association of Fire Chiefs President Steve Locke and 1st Vice President Ernest Malone in Washington, D.C., this week, representing our members and the fire and emergency service on Capitol Hill.

Our time with members of Congress and their staff focused on educating them about several issues that directly impact the ability of fire and EMS agencies across the country to serve their communities:

• Reauthorize FirstNet before its current February 2027 sunset. (Passed the House; awaiting Senate action.)

• Protect and fully fund the AFG and SAFER grant programs at their authorized levels of $750 million each—critical investments in the staffing, equipment, training, and readiness of our nation’s fire departments.

• Fund the U.S. Fire Administration and National Fire Academy at the authorized level of $95 million, supporting their critical missions as well as the continued transition from NFIRS to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS).

• Establish federal safety standards for lithium-ion batteries and micromobility devices to address the growing fire hazards associated with these products. (Passed the House; awaiting Senate action.)

• Preserve AM radio in new vehicles as a standard, no-cost service, maintaining an important means of communicating emergency information to the public. (Passed the House; awaiting Senate action.)

• Strengthen our nation’s response to wildland fire, including continued efforts to improve prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response capabilities. (Passed the House; Senate version has cleared committee and awaits full Senate action.)

• Support the EMS Counts Act, ensuring dual-role firefighter/EMTs and firefighter/paramedics are appropriately counted as EMS personnel by the U.S. Department of Labor.

• Support the CARE Act, providing a pathway for Medicare reimbursement when EMS providers treat patients on scene without transporting them to a hospital.

• Protect the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, ensuring NIOSH can continue investigating firefighter line-of-duty deaths and serious injuries and translating those lessons into prevention efforts across the fire service.

Advocacy is about more than a single piece of legislation or a single visit to Capitol Hill. It is about building and maintaining long-lasting relationships with our elected officials and their staffs so they understand the challenges facing the fire and emergency service and know the IAFC is a trusted resource when these important issues are being considered.

A special thank you to IAFC Governmental Affairs Director Ken LaSala for coordinating our efforts this week and, more importantly, for the work he and his staff do every day on behalf of our members. Their continued presence on Capitol Hill, educating legislators and their staffs and ensuring the fire service has a voice in the federal policy process, is incredibly important to our mission.

I am honored to serve alongside President Locke and 1st Vice President Malone and to represent our IAFC members and the fire and emergency service as a whole. Having a seat at the table matters—but so does continuing to build relationships to ensure we continue to have that seat for years to come.

Unity. Purpose. Progress.

🇺🇸 Your voice. Your issues. Your IAFC on the Hill. 🚒

IAFC 1st Vice President Chief Ernest Malone, IAFC President Chief Steven Locke, and IAFC 2nd Vice President Chief Mike Snider were in Washington, D.C., advocating for the nation’s fire and emergency services.

IAFC leadership met with U.S. Fire Administrator Chief Paul Matheis, U.S. Wildland Fire Service staff, and congressional staff from the offices of House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer to discuss fire service priorities and advance the IAFC’s legislative agenda.

🌐 IAFC.org

09/14/2026

The IAFC VCOS and NVFC have released an updated guide with 11 best practices to help reduce cancer risk for firefighters. This essential resource includes new research, personal stories, and actionable steps to protect firefighters from occupational hazards.
Cancer is a leading threat in our field. Strong leadership and commitment are crucial to making firefighter health and safety a priority. Don’t let this document gather dust—use it to make a difference in your department!
Download the Lavender Ribbon Report Update: nvfc.org/lrr | vcos.org/beatffcancer

09/12/2026

It was truly an honor to be in New York on September 9 to attend FDNY’s ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of September 11, representing IAFC - International Association of Fire Chiefs President Steve Locke, the IAFC Executive Board, and our members.

There are some moments in our careers that stay with us, and being there was certainly one of those for me.

FDNY has never wavered in honoring the 343 members who made the supreme sacrifice on September 11, 2001, while continuing to remember the far too many members they have lost in the years since from 9/11-related illnesses. Equally powerful is the way they continue to embrace the families, friends, and fellow firefighters who carry those losses every day.

Standing among members of FDNY and the fire service community was a deeply personal reminder of what remembrance requires of all of us. It is about honoring their names and their sacrifice, supporting those who continue to live with the impacts of that day, and making certain the generations entering our profession today understand the legacy they have inherited.

In the days, weeks, and months following September 11, our nation came together with a renewed sense of unity and purpose. In order for us to continue moving forward, we must carry that spirit with us and remain united in honoring those we lost, supporting one another, and serving our communities.

Twenty-five years later, the courage, service, and sacrifice demonstrated on September 11 continue to define so much of who we are as a fire service.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been there and humbled to represent the International Association of Fire Chiefs and our members on such a meaningful occasion.

May we always remember those we lost, honor those who continue to carry the burden, and remain worthy of the legacy they left us. Never Forget.

09/07/2026

On this Labor Day, we recognize and honor the generations of working men and women whose dedication, hard work, and sacrifice have helped build and strengthen our communities and our nation.

For those of us in the fire service, Labor Day is also an opportunity to say thank you to the firefighters, paramedics, emergency communications professionals, and support personnel who continue the mission each and every day.

While many are enjoying a well-earned day with family and friends, firehouses and emergency communications centers across our country remain staffed and ready to answer the next call. That commitment to others never takes a holiday.

Thank you to all who serve, to the families who support that service, and to everyone working today to keep their communities safe.

Stay safe, take care of one another, and have a meaningful Labor Day.

🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day!

Today, we recognize the hard work, dedication, and service of people across the country who help keep our communities strong.

To our fire and EMS community, we extend a special thank you for your continued commitment to serving and protecting others. 🚒🚑

We are grateful for all you do—today and every day. IAFC.org